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As a large employer in the United States, the Department of Defense faces significant challenges ensuring that all members of the military, as well as their families, receive appropriate health care for everything from general health and well-being to specialized clinical care for deployment related injuries such as amputations, chemically induced illnesses, and post-traumatic stress disorder. Combining its expertise in health and defense policy, RAND examines policy issues surrounding military medical care needs and the systems intended to meet them.

The care provided by the Military Health System (MHS) is critical to maintaining a physically and psychologically healthy, mission-ready force. When it comes to PTSD and depression, the MHS demonstrates excellent care in some areas but could improve in others.

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Early identification and planning for medical support for EU-led military operations are vital to saving lives, treating injuries and keeping personnel healthy. Common standards would ensure high-quality and consistent medical support regardless of which country is providing it.

Proposals to repeal or replace the federal Affordable Care Act would likely increase the demand for service in the Veterans Affairs medical system, while also increasing the number of veterans who have no insurance coverage at all.

Recent congressional proposals to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act would increase the number of uninsured nonelderly veterans and further increase demand for VA health care. The effects would vary across states, but the largest impacts would be felt in states that expanded Medicaid.

The American Health Care Act would increase uninsurance among veterans and demand for Department of Veterans Affairs care by a greater margin than simply returning to pre-Affordable Care Act levels of coverage.

This report describes the psychological health workforce at military treatment facilities, examines the extent to which care is consistent with clinical practice guidelines, and identifies facilitators and barriers to providing this care.

More than 80 percent of military health care facilities offer some form of complementary and alternative medicine—in addition to conventional medicine— mainly for pain management and psychological disorders.

Ensuring the strength of U.S. armed forces is critical to U.S. national security and the key source of strength is its people. True investment in personnel is a long-term legacy and an investment worthy of attention and policy debate to ensure the United States continues to recruit and retain the most effective fighting force in the world.

Veterans who received General and Other Than Honorable discharges were significantly more likely to screen positive for generalized anxiety disorder, depression, PTSD, and hazardous alcohol use than those who received an Honorable discharge.

The attitudes of military personnel about drinking predict their future drinking behaviors and may be key to understanding the relationship between normative perceptions about drinking and drinking behaviors.

Caregivers who provide unpaid, informal support to current and former U.S. service members are a key part of America's care for returning warriors. A new research blueprint could help improve support for these "hidden heroes."

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Researcher Spotlight

Senior Economist

Ellen M. Pint is a senior economist at RAND with over 25 years of experience in defense economics issues. She is currently working on studies examining the effects of changes in training requirements on retention of Army Reserve soldiers; approaches for Army installations to reduce their utility…

Behavioral Scientist

Christine Vaughan is a behavioral scientist at the RAND Corporation. Her research examines influences on mental and physical health and related interventions, programs, and policies in military and civilian populations. She is co-leading a study that examines how mental health problems and…

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